The Brooklyn way…Harlem Shake to open new Williamsburg franchise location at 153 Grand St.

Brooklyn, NY Harlem Shake welcomes its first local franchisee, Cody Spearman to Williamsburg.

Harlem Shake has secured a new home for its planned franchise restaurant at 153 Grand St. (Bedford Ave. and Berry St.)

Spearman has signed a lease for the 1,759 s/f restaurant space able to seat 32 and includes the brand’s Wall of Fame and Mr. /Miss Harlem Shake features. It also allocates space for a self-order kiosks, order pickup and delivery assembly, allowing the design to accommodate both guests dining in and orders prepared to go. Final seating and service arrangements will be confirmed as the restaurant fit-out is completed. 

Akram Mozeb and Jordan Raphan of Kassin Sabbagh Realty assisted with the transaction. QSR&R is developing the restaurant’s layout and construction documents.

The project updates the brand’s previously announced Greenpoint plans. Spearman’s franchise will now be developed at the Grand St. address, replacing the earlier proposed location at 698 Manhattan Ave.

“Williamsburg has a distinct personality that is creative, local, and proudly Brooklyn! Grand St. gives us a clear path forward in Williamsburg. Our focus is on helping Cody create a neighborhood restaurant that delivers the food, hospitality and sense of community people associate with Harlem Shake,” said Jelena Pasic, founder & CEO of Harlem Shake.

Spearman is the third franchisee of the fast-casual restaurant group, a finance professional who relocated to New York City nearly a decade ago and now lives in Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood. Spearman signed his Harlem Shake franchise agreement in January 2026. The other franchisees will open their locations in 2027 across the U.S. in Philadelphia, PA, and the Upper West Side of Manhattan; and internationally across India.

Harlem Shake Williamsburg is scheduled to open in winter 2026/27.